conservation education

Dig into sustainable gardening! Naturescaping is the practice of using native plants to create sustainable landscapes that are good for people, animals and the environment. Learn how to design a low-maintenance, chemical-free landscape that conserves water and minimizes pollution, all while saving you time, money and energy! You’ll get natural gardening and landscape design tips, take a field trip to a nearby naturescaped garden, and receive a comprehensive workbook and a native plant to get started!Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Register online at www.emswcd.org. Information: 503-222-7645

Join West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District in helping clean up and restore McCarthy Creek:

Saturday, September 22

9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Meet in parking lot at NARA NW, 17645 NW St. Helens Highway (Hwy. 30)

Register at: http://www.solv.org/get-involved/events/mccarthy-creek-clean

McCarthy Creek flows into the Multnomah Channel and eventually into the Columbia River.  It's an important tributary but it's been a dumping ground of trash and debris from householdsand roadway accidents in the west hills for many years.  All of this debris harms fish and other wildlife habitat.  We want to restore water quality and habitat so that cutthroat trout, salmon and other native wildlife such as red-legged frogs can thirve again in the creek.

Beside picking up trash and debris, we'll be removing invasive weeds such as ivy, vinca and herb Robert from the areas around the creek.

We need your help!!

A great chance for parents to have a night out while the kids get to experience the Nature Park in a way few others ever do.  Gather in the Interpretive Center, have dinner (pizza and veggies), then head out into the Park after dark to explore and look for wildlife. No flashlights needed! Suitable for ages 6-12 years. Advanced registration required; call 503/629-6350. $25 per patron, in-district. An assessment fee will be charged to out-of-district patrons. 

The Nature Park is home to a number of coyotes including new pups born each year. We'll begin with supper then examine a real coyote skull and pelt. After practicing walking silently, we'll head out in search of signs of the parks' resident coyotes. If we're lucky we may hear them howl!

A great chance for parents to have a night out while the kids get to experience the Nature Park in a way few others ever do.  Gather in the Interpretive Center, have dinner (pizza and veggies), then head out into the Park after dark to explore and look for wildlife. No flashlights needed! Suitable for ages 6-12 years. Advanced registration required; call 503/629-6350. $25 per patron, in-district. An assessment fee will be charged to out-of-district patrons. 

Ahoy, Matey!  A pirate ship has landed at the Nature Park. Pull out your secret treasure map and head into the forest to search for hidden natural treasures. Along the way we will learn about why pirates wear eye patches and which native plants could prevent scurvy. Argh!

Join us for this series of nature adventures as we explore the wildlife in our local parks.  We’ll search for clues that animals have left behind and get up close looks at treasures from our naturalist’s backpack that may include skulls, pelts, pellets or even scat!  Each Knee High Naturalist Hike session meets at a different site.  It’s a great way to get outside with your preschool child, meet other families, and learn about the natural world.  Only one registration per family is necessary. .  Suitable for ages 2-5 years. Advanced registration required; call 503/629-6350.  $8 per session, in-district.  An assessment fee will be charged for out-of-district patrons.

Bethany Lake

Look for birds of all sizes and see what other creatures live along the water.  Meet in the parking lot on the west stide of 185th, just south of West Union Road.